Bell County Emergency Management

05/26/2026

Open to ALL First Responders!!! Please plan to join us if you can.

05/06/2026

Great things are happening in Bell County.

02/21/2026

We are saddened to hear about the passing of Tim H. Mills. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks to come.

2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

It is with great sadness that we inform the members of our community that the president of our board, President Tim H. Mills went home to be with the lord this morning. Please keep his family and the members of our department in your thoughts and prayers!

01/31/2026

As more snow has accumulated overnight, driving conditions across the area have worsened. Snow and ice continue to lay on both secondary and main roadways. Although road crews continue to attempt to clear roads, salt becomes ineffective in these low temperatures. The forecasted high for today is only 18°, with a windchill of 1° overnight. Everyone is encouraged to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.

01/31/2026

Sheriff's Deputies are encouraging everyone to stay off the roadways tonight as conditions are deteriorating quickly as of 7pm.

This is a picture of Highway 25E as Deputy Chris Owens is responding to a vehicle in a ditch on Tanyard Hill on Highway 119.

Use extreme caution if you must travel.

01/29/2026

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

Bell County has been placed under a Winter Weather Advisory beginning Friday, January 30th 2026 at 6am and lasting until Saturday, January 31st at 12pm.

The current forecast is giving snow accumulation of 1-3” for our area, with temperatures staying below freezing after this system moves in.

Snow is expected to start in the late morning/afternoon hours tomorrow and continue through the day on Saturday before moving out of our area.

Please use caution if you have to travel, as road conditions will become hazardous during this event.

Please be patient with our road crews as they have and are still working tirelessly to keep our roads cleared as safely as possible. They have all done a wonderful job and we appreciate them very much.

01/27/2026

As frigid temperatures continue, please keep in mind it is very important to keep a check on your heat sources in order to avoid an unwanted fire in your home or place of shelter. Here are some tips to remember when using space heaters this Winter.

01/25/2026

COMMUNITY CENTER WARMING CENTER

The City of Middlesboro is continuing to monitor the weather conditions going into tonight and the days ahead.

Forecasts are showing the potential for dangerous road conditions, including sheets of ice developing tomorrow and possibly continuing into early next week especially with such a drop of temperature being predicted. Please continue to use extreme caution when traveling, especially during overnight and early morning hours.

To ensure the safety of those in need, the Middlesboro Community Center will open as a Warming Center beginning at 7:00 PM tonight (Sunday) and will remain open into tomorrow.

Warming Center Location:
Middlesboro Community Center
(Open to anyone needing a warm, safe place)

Safety Reminders:
• Avoid unnecessary travel if icy conditions develop.
• Keep phones charged and flashlights nearby.
• Check on elderly neighbors, family members, and those without adequate heat.
• In case of emergency, dial 911.

As we have seen, the weather can be a bit unpredictable but we will continue to make adjustments as we see what conditions we are left with as the storm continues.

Please continue to stay safe everyone.

01/25/2026

As we near the evening hours, please keep in mind that travel will be treacherous when temperatures plummet into the mid teens and wet roadways freeze. Wind chill is expected to be as low as 13°.

The Bell County Road Department, KY Transportation Cabinet and both Pineville and Middlesboro City street crews have worked tirelessly the past two days to clear roadways. Please keep in mind that when temperatures drop this low, salt becomes ineffective and roads become extremely dangerous to maintain. Unless travel is absolutely necessary, stay off of roadways.

01/25/2026